Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud al-Zahar urged UN Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday to open talks with the newly-inaugurated Hamas-led government.

"I appeal to your highness to work with the Quartet Committee to start a serious and constructive dialogue with the Palestinian(National) Authority and its new cabinet," al-Zahar said in a letter presented to Annan on Tuesday.

"I would like to express my appreciation to your highness Mr.Secretary General for your efforts to reinforce the principles of justice, equality and development as well as keeping international peace and security," al-Zahar added.

The top Palestinian diplomat, also a senior Hamas leader, said in the letter that the Palestinians highly valued efforts by the UN and all its institutions and branches to offer the needed support to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian National Authority.

Al-Zahar also said that the Palestinian government hoped Annan to reconsider the "fast" decisions on the aid issue.

It was the first official letter sent to Annan by al-Zahar since his Hamas cabinet officially took office on March 29.

The United Nations, along with the United States, Russia and the European Union under the Quartet Committee of key Mideast mediators, has threatened to cut aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government unless the group renounces violence, recognizes Israel's right to exist and accepts previous deals with Israel.

The U.S. and several European countries have already decided to cut off diplomatic contact with the Hamas cabinet.

The new Palestinian government, led by senior Hamas leader Ismail Haneya, was sworn in on March 29 following Hamas' sweeping victory in the Jan. 25 legislative elections.

Hamas, or the Islamic Resistance Movement, has committed itself to Israel's destruction.